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Research Studies

It reviews the leading grid-scale energy storage systems, with a focus on technologies that are either deployed or in the demonstration phase. We touch only briefl y on vehicle-to-grid enabled storage, but provide references to relevant publications on this topic. It also show comparison between these storage systems.

Electrochemical conversion reactions of transition metal compounds create opportunities for large energy storage capabilities exceeding modern Li-ion batteries. However, for practical electrodes to be envisaged, a detailed understanding of their mechanisms is needed, especially vis-à-vis the voltage hysteresis observed between reduction and oxidation. Here, we present such insight at scales from local atomic arrangements to whole electrodes. NiO was chosen as a simple model system. The most important finding is that the voltage hysteresis has its origin in the differing chemical pathways during reduction and oxidation. This asymmetry is enabled by the presence of small metallic clusters and, thus, is likely to apply to other transition metal oxide systems. The presence of nanoparticles also influences the electrochemical activity of the electrolyte and its degradation products and can create differences in transport properties within an electrode, resulting in localized reactions around converted domains that lead to compositional inhomogeneities at the microscale.

Different kinds of batteries suit different applications, and consequently several different chemistries exist. In order to better understand the limitations of low temperature performance, a Li-ion battery chemistry normally intended for room temperature use, graphite-Lithium Iron Phosphate, with 1 M LiPF6 ethylene carbonate:diethylene carbonate electrolyte, is here put under testing at -10°C and compared with room temperature cycling performance. Understanding the temperature limitations of this battery chemistry will give better understanding of the desired properties of a substitute using alternative materials. The experimental studies have comprised a combination of battery cycle testing, and surface analysis of the electrodes by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Results showed that with low enough rate, temperature is less of a problem, but with increased charge rate, there are increasingly severe effects on performance at low temperatures. XPS measurements of low charge rate samples showed similar Solid Electrolyte Interface layers formed on the graphite anode for room- and low temperature batteries, but with indications of a thicker layer on the former. A section of the report handles specific low temperature battery chemistries. The conclusions- and outlook were made by comparing the results found in the study with earlier findings on low temperature Li-ion batteries and present possible approaches for modifying battery performance at lowered temperatures.

We introduce a novel Organic Redox Flow Battery (ORBAT), for meeting the demanding requirements of cost, eco-friendliness, and durability for large-scale energy storage. ORBAT employs two different water-soluble organic redox couples on the positive and negative side of a flow battery.

The Rensselaer IC Solar Façade System is a building integrated photovoltaic system: a planar lens shape in a close packed array was determined to ensure maximum conversion of solar energy to electrical power while permitting substantial daylighting. The first effective and esthetically pleasing system that will permit the wide scale incorporation of building integrated photovoltaic power production in urban area

NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the start of business operations for the New York Green Bank. The goal of the NY Green Bank is to stimulate private sector financing and accelerate the transition to a more cost-effective, resilient and clean energy system. In commencing its operations, the NY Green Bank released a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting proposals from private sector capital providers and other clean energy industry participants to propose partnership arrangements with the Green Bank that would facilitate the financing of clean energy projects (including energy generation and energy savings projects) in the State of New York.